The Taylor Senior Center, Cottonwood Senior Center and The Senior World Group, at Troy University, recently participated in a “How to Avoid Identity Theft” program offered by Friend Bank. These educational presentations are offered at no cost to local business and no-profit groups.

“The Federal Trade Commission says that identity theft is the fasted growing crime against Americans today,” said Lorraine Mouery, Vice President of Friend Bank. “Our seniors are at risk because they come from a place in time when trust was the norm. The seniors of today grew up during a time when leaving your windows open at night was a safe thing to do. It was a time when a stranger was someone you knew for less than five minutes and it was a time when someone told you something you could take it to the bank. Those days are gone.”
The presentations included the steps to take if ever you become a victim, some local statistics, and practical steps on how to avoid being a victim. “Our seniors may not be the first to suffer identity theft and they may not be the last. But at Friend Bank we do not want them to be the next,” said Mouery.

Friend Bank is a third generation family business and one of Alabama’s oldest community banks. The bank operates 2 full-service banking offices: one in Slocomb and one in Dothan. For more information, please contact Lorraine Mouery, Vice President. 3105 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, Alabama 36303.334-792-2550. Lorraine@friendbank.net, www.friendbank.net